Why choose Bangor for your Sport Science degree?

The School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (SSHES) has been providing high calibre undergraduate degrees for 40 years and taught postgraduate (Masters) degrees since 2000. Established in 1978 we are now one of the most established and well respected sport science degree providers in the UK

We also have a successful track record of research training, with more than 70 PhDs awarded in the last 20 years.

Did you know?

  • 1st in Wales / 7th in the UK for research in Sport Science; with 100% of research either world leading or at an international level (Research Excellence Framework, 2014)
  • Bangor is the most affordable place in the UK to be a student (TotalMoney 2019)
  • Top 10 for Research Quality (Complete University Guide 2022)
  • Bangor is top 25% for postgraduate taught student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2018)
  • Bangor is 10th for PhD student satisfaction (Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2018)

Research

The scientific integrity of our academics (all of whom are research active) is regularly recognised by research accreditation exercises such as the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and Research Excellence Framework (REF). The results of the most recent REF (2014) confirmed our now well-established reputation for the highest quality research, with 100% of our work being judged as either world leading or at an international level. This placed us as one of the top ten Sport Science Schools in the UK. The School has a track record of supporting research into clinical exercise rehabilitation and disease prevention, elite performance as well as talent identification and development.

All our research underpins the unique (to the region) provision of academic and professional skills development for students from undergraduate to PhD level.

Teaching and Learning

Our excellence in research feeds directly into our degree programmes, since students are taught by the researchers who drive the knowledge base in the subject areas they study.

SSHES offers a wide range of degree courses from undergraduate BSc/MSci courses to postgraduate MSc and research-orientated MRes programmes. Undergraduate degrees range from programmes that specialise in performance and health sciences to degrees with a greater vocational element e.g. BSc in Sports Science (Outdoor Activities). The vocational element of our Outdoor Activities degree is further strengthened by input and delivery by external partners (Snowdonia Watersports and the Conway Centre).  Our MSci courses allow you to enrol as an undergraduate and after four years (if successfully passing all years with the required grades), graduate with a Masters level qualification.

Student Experience

As a School we value the overall experience of our students highly and pride ourselves on having a caring and student centred approach. We aim to provide a challenging and enjoyable learning environment which is welcoming and supportive of all our students. The School provides a close knit, friendly community. Students benefit from being taught in smaller groups and all have the opportunity for regular one-to-one tutorials.

  •  Top 20 for Course Satisfaction (Guardian Good University Guide 2022)

International Experience Year

All of our undergraduate programmes include an option to take an ‘International Experience Year’. The four year study abroad route provides students with an opportunity to study overseas during the second or third year of the degree programme. On successful completion of the four-year degree, students graduate ‘with international experience’ added to their degree title. Check out Bangor University’s Studying Abroad pages for more details.

Facilities and Equipment

The School is based in a beautiful Grade II listed building on the banks of the Menai Strait and is well resourced for the scientific study of sport, health and exercise. It has an extensive range of laboratories containing state-of-the-art equipment for sport and exercise physiology, psychology, motor control and learning, and motion analysis. Facilities include:

  • a new £1m centre for Physical Activity, Health and Well-Being (PAWB) housing exercise physiology laboratories, equipped with an Ultrasound, Isokinetic Dynomometer, and exercise performance and rehabilitation equipment, and a new teaching laboratory;
  • an environmental chamber – to allow testing in extreme temperature, humidity and oxygen deprivation conditions;
  • a hypoxia chamber – to allow testing at simulated altitude conditions;
  • a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner – to provide measurements of tissue composition. Bangor University’s was the first UK Sports Science School to install a DEXA and use it for research;
  • a motion analysis laboratory – equipped with a 12 camera passive marker system to analyse whole body movement, and an active marker system to allow for analysis of smaller, part body movements;
  • psychology testing laboratories including a driving simulation and observation/interview suite;
  • biochemistry and cell biology labs.

The University

Bangor offers a unique environment – a reputable academic institution located between Snowdonia and the sea – one of the prime university locations in Britain for pursuing sport and a range of outdoor activities, voted 'one of best locations in the world' to visit by Lonely Planet.  In addition, the University:

  • has a caring and supportive approach with one of the largest Peer Guiding schemes in the UK;
  • offers a wide range of clubs and societies that allow you to become actively involved in sports and activities away from your academic studies;
  • has a a comprehensive range of sport and recreation facilities to support individual or team sports;
  • is situated in a small, friendly cathedral city that is considered an affordable place to live;
  • was voted one of the best university cities in the UK for facilities and location;
  • has good road and rail links to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, London and Ireland via the Dublin/Dun Laoghaire ferries from Holyhead.

Video: A welcome from the Head of School

Dr Jamie Macdonald welcomes you to the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at Bangor University.